DC Ranch

They both crafted. Hence Briar Patch was born they met other crafters and started doing the shows in my sisters back yard 2 or 3 times a year. Jeannie met a principal of an elementary school who convinced her to rent the school to help the PTO. Then it snowballed. 15 years later they hired Vera her sister (that’s me) to be her head cashier. They needed someone to stay in the tent make change for the cashiers, make sure the line moved efficiently and assist customers. Jeannie and Jean couldn’t do this job they were busy doing so many other jobs during the show. While she would set up the show I would set up her booth for her and with her. Then I caught the bug. I wanted to be a crafter, only I am not talented when it comes to painting or sewing.

My talent is shopping. We went to the LA gift show and I found wonderful seasonal products to add to our booth. Then our partnership was formed. Eight years ago Jeannie was bored one summer so we opened a small booth in an antique store. The same summer we opened a permanent booth Jeannie’s partner came home from her summer vacation and decided to retire and sell her half of the business to Jeannie. Now she owned it all. As my brother-in-law says now it became a family affair. Jeannie’s two daughters have become her head cashiers, her oldest son David runs the office and Steve who lives in Austin Texas will fly in and help us with big events. We have drafted every son and daughter-in-law we can and sometimes a niece or nephew. We also have a new generation Jeannie’s granddaughter Cassie who is in college and has become our 3rd arm, she can run a cash register, help with set up or work anywhere we ask her.  Jeannie retired her sewing machine and gave away all her fabric and now she works the business full time. For fun we go to different markets around the country and bring you great products at fabulous prices.  Our 2010/2011 Season will see us doing at least 16 shows and maintaining 2 permanent booths.

Besides the shows that I do on weekends and our booths I have a full time job. Briar Patch Marketplace is Jeannie’s full time job. Jeannie works with 500 vendors and has 30,000 customers on her mailing list. Jeannie’s son asked her how long she thinks she will be doing this. She pondered the question for 10 seconds and replied at least another 15 years. By then the next generation will be fully trained and we will only be setting up our booth. We will always go shopping for great products.  You can find Finishing Touches of Briar Patch’s permanent booth at t CAMELBACK CONSIGN AND DESIGN (1030 E Camelback Rd in Phoenix). Someone pointed out how amazing it is that my sister Jeannie is still doing what she truly loves after 30 years. And yes we are so lucky and blessed that her family has been so supportive and helpful. A special thanks to Jeannie’s husband who has helped her every step of the way. And yes once a crafter always a crafter. She still finds time to create things for our booth.